Moldova: EU cuts budget support programme for justice reforms

The FINANCIAL -- On 11 October, the European Union announced that it will not transfer any further funds to the Moldovan state budget to support reforms in the justice sector.

As stated in the EU’s press release, in the past, these funds were made available to the Moldovan authorities, who had agreed to use them for reforming the justice system in 2014 and 2015 in particular.

“The EU has closely observed the reform process and noted that the Moldovan authorities showed insufficient commitment to reforming the justice sector in 2014 and 2015,” the EU said. “With insufficient allocation of funds and personnel, the necessary reforms have not been carried out. As a result, progress has not been sufficient.”

The EU says that the Moldovan authorities have not fulfilled the EU's conditions for receiving the last financial transfer under the justice reform programme, which amounts to EUR 28 million. “This sum will not be paid to the Moldovan state budget, but remain with the EU,” the press release stated.

“The EU continues to support Moldovans as they work hard for a better future. We are now reflecting on how we can assist the citizens in the coming years,” said the Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, Ambassador Peter Michalko.

“We want to give priority to projects that directly improve the lives of Moldovans.”

The EU also announced it has paused payments of budget support in four other policy areas. The timing of the payments will be clarified in due time, according to EU Neighbours East Info.